5. Hiring Rafael Benitez
The hiring of Rafael Benitez as the successor to Roberto Di Matteo in November last year never was a popular decision. It was one that was met with immediate fury on the terraces with livid fans showing their obvious discontent during Chelsea's first home game since the announcement. "I'd never take the Chelsea job", the words the Spaniard
unfortunately uttered in 2007, words of which Chelsea fans have never forgotten. And they were baying for Benitez' blood even more than usual when he
sensationally attacked fans, criticised his 'Interim Role' before parted with the bombshell news that he'd walk away from the job in the summer in a remarkable outburst last month. Abramovich must have been aware that appointing Benitez was going to infuriate fans, yet he either didn't care or didn't listen.